Automatic water control switch



July ll, 1950 E. J. soURBER AUTOMATIC WATER CONTROL swITcH Filed Dot. 18, 1948 3nventor fr! ,l fou/ber Patented July 11,1950

UNITED STATESA PATENT OFFICE A' 2,514,731 AUTOMATIC WATER CONTROL SWITCH Earl J. Sourber, Allentown, Pa. Application October 18, 1948, Serial No. 55,169 7 Claims. (Cl. 20o-81.9)

This invention relates to automatic water controls and is concerned primarily with a, control designed for use with an air compressor, water cooled bearing, ammonia compressor, and the like.

In the operation of a present day apparatus of this type, the flow of water is an element highly essential to the operatic-n because it is needed for cooling purposes. If the flow of water should, for any reason, be discontinued or fall below a predetermined minimum, the mechanism should be shut down otherwisethere would be a likelihood of serious damage to the machine.

With the above noted condition in mind, the present invention has in view as its foremost objective, the provision of a control mechanism which is particularly designed for use in conjunction with an air compressor or similar mechanism 'as above noted and which is responsive to the flow of water so thatvif the latter s-hould fall below a predetermined minimum, the operation Of the compressor will either be automatically discontinued, or a signal, either audible or visible, will be rendered effective.

In providing a device of this type for use with an air compressor, it is highly desirable that the mechanism be susceptible to adjustment so that the minimum flow of water which determines when the compressor is to be shut down may be varied.

Thus, another highly important object of the invention, is the provision, in a control mechanism of the type indicated, of means for varying the point at which the control mechanism shuts down the compressor or indicates that the operation should be discontinued.

In providing a device of this type, it is important that the mechanism be as simple as possible to provide surety of operation. Thus, another Object is to provide an automatic control of the type indicated, which is highly simplified, and yet includes the feature of adjustability which is so important.

In carrying out the above noted ideas in a practical embodiment, a fitting is employed which is adapted to be included in the flow of water that is the controlling element. This fitting provides a conduit through which the water passes, and pivotally mounted in a wall thereof is a vane which is subject to the flow of water. Extending outwardly of the fitting from the shaft on which the vane is mounted is an arm that carries a weight at its free end. This Weight normally is counterbalanced by the flow of water through the tting.

Pivotally mounted on the exterior of the iitting is a platform which in turn carries a pair of complementa] contacts. One of these contacts is mounted on a spring arm which normally maintains it in engagement with the other con. tact. However, when the flow of water through the tting falls oif suiiioiently to destroy the counterbalance of the weighted arm, the latter falls under gravity action and engages the spring arm to break the contacts.

These contacts are included in an electrical circuit which may also include either a signal or a relay which will be effective to discontinue the operation of the compressor.

Another important object of the invention is the provision, in control mechanism of the char-y` acter aforesaid, of means for adjusting the position of the platform whereby the point at which the weight engages the spring arm may be varied. This means preferably takes the form of a, set screw that is associated with the pivotal ymounting of the platform. y

Various other more detailed objects'andadvantages of the invention such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in a practical embodiment will in part become apparent, and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention, therefore, comprises an automatic control designed for use in conjunction with an air compressor to be affected by the flow of water thereto, and which consists es-v sentially of a tting in which a, vane is pivotally mounted and counterbalanced by a weight. A pair of normally engaged contacts are adapted to be affected by said weight to break the engagement when the flow of water falls below'a predetermined minimum. Means in the form of an adjustable platform, which carries the contacts, is provided for adjusting the point at which the contacts are broken.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description vand accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a front elevational view of control mechanism as included in the line which provides the flow of water to an air compressor.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the `ntting.

Figure 3 isa horizontal section taken about on the plane represented by the line 3-3 of Figure 1, and shows the platform and mechanism associated therewith in plan, and

Figure 4 is a detailed elevation of the platform and mechanism associated therewith, and istaken in the direction of the arrows 4 4 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts,

and first more particularly to Figure l, a drain is latter is adjustable through the medium of the set screw 43. Thus, the mechanism is adapted for adjustment to any particular volume in the flow of water which is desired.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions, mechanisms, and devices illustrated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In control mechanism of the character described, the combination of: a fitting having a pipe section formed with a bore that is adapted to assume a vertical position as it is mounted in a line through which water flows, a shaft rotatably mounted in said fitting, a vane extending into the said bore and drivably connected to said shaft about which it is adapted to swing as an axis, an arm carried by said shaft land extending outwardly of said fitting in a direction substantially normal to said pipe section, a weight on said arm, a pair of relatively movable contacts included in a control circuit, and a carrier on which one of Said contacts is mounted, said carrier being adapted to be engaged by said arm to break said contacts.

2. In control mechanism of the character described, the combination of: a fitting having a pipe section formed with a bore that is adapted to assume a vertical position as it is mounted in a line through which water fiows, ya shaft rotatably mounted in said fitting, a vane extendingr into the said bore and drivably connected to said shaft about which it is adapted to swing as an axis, an arm carried bv said shaft and extending outwardly of said fitting in a direction substantially normal to said pipe section, a weight on said arm. a table extending outwardly from said fitting. a spring biased carrier mounted on said table. a contact on said carrier and a complemental contact on said table, said contacts being adapted to be included in a control circuit. said carrier being positioned beneath said weighted arm whereby it is adapted to be engaged thereby to break said contacts.

3. In control mechanism of the character described. the combination of: a fitting having a pipe section formed with a bore that is adapted to assume a vertical position as it is mounted in a line through which water liows, a shaft rotatably mounted in said fitting, a vane extending into the said bore and drivably connected to said shaft, an arm carried by said shaft and extending outwardly of said fitting, a weight on said arm, a table extending outwardly from said fitting, a spring biased carrier mounted on said table, a contact on said carrier and a complemental contact on said table, said contacts being adapted to be included in a control circuit, said carrier being positioned beneath said 4weighted arm whereby it is adapted to be engaged thereby to break said contacts, and means for adjusting the said table relative to said platform whereby the point at which said contacts are engaged by said weighted arm is varied.

4. In control mechanism of the character described, the combination of a fitting having a pipe section formed with a bore extending therethrough, a shaft pivotally mounted in said fitting, a vane drivably connected to said shaft and positioned in said bore, an arm drivably connected to said shaft and extending outwardly of said fitting in a direction substantially opposite to said vane, a weight on said arm, a table pivotally mounted on said fitting at the side from which said arm extends, means for adjusting the angular relation of said table to said fitting, a carrier pivotally mounted on said table, a contact on said table, a contact on said carrier, and spring means associated with said carrier urging said contacts into engagement, a portion of said carrier being located beneath said weighted arm whereby it is adapted to be engaged thereby to break said contacts.

5. In control mechanism of the character described, the combination of: a fitting having a pipe section formed with a bore extending therethrough, a shaft pivotally mounted in said fitting, a vane drivably connected to said shaft and positioned in said bore, means in said bore adapted to be engaged by said vane to limit movement thereof, an arm drivably connected to said shaft and extending outwardly of said fitting in a direction substantially opposite to said vane, a weight on said arm, a table pivotally mounted on said fitting at the side from which said arm extends, means for adjusting the angular relation of said table to said fitting, a carrier pivotally mounted on said table, a contact on said table, a contact on said carrier, and spring means associated with said carrier urging said contacts into engagement, a portion of said carrier being located beneath said weighted arm whereby it is adapted to be engaged thereby to break said contacts.

6. In control mechanism of the character described, the combination of: a device for adjustably mounting a pair of contacts on a fitting, said device comprising a table, means on said table for pivotally mounting the same on a fitting, a set screw carried by said table and having a free end adapted to engage said fitting to determine the angular position of said table relative thereto, a contact carrier pivotally mounted on said table, a contact on said table, a complemental contact on said carrier, and a spring biasing said carrier to urge said contacts into engagement.

7. In control mechanism of the character described, the combination of: a fitting adapted to be mounted in a vertical position and having a bore through which water is adapted to flow, said fitting being formed with a iiat face. a plate detachably secured to said face, said plate and said face being formed with semi-cylindrical sockets defining bearings, a shaft rotatably mounted in said bearings, a vane drivably connected to said shaft and positioned in said conduit, said vane being swingable on said shaft as an axis, an arm drivably connected to said shaft and extending outwardly of said fitting in a direction substantially opposite to said vane, a weight on said arm, and a contact assembly adapted to be engaged by said weighted arm to break said contacts.

EARL J. SOURBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,169,692 Suren Jan. 25, 1916 1,351,779 Mather Sept. 7, 1920 1,603,924 Rossman Oct. 19, 1926 

